Meta Hires Apple’s AI Chief to Boost Its AI Efforts
▼ Summary
– Apple’s head of AI models, Ruoming Pang, is leaving to join Meta, continuing Meta’s trend of hiring top AI executives.
– Pang led Apple’s team that developed AI foundation models for Apple Intelligence and on-device AI features.
– Apple’s AI models are considered less advanced compared to competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta.
– Apple may rely on third-party AI models for its upcoming Siri upgrade due to its AI struggles.
– Pang’s departure could signal further exits from Apple’s AI unit, while his expertise may benefit Meta’s AI initiatives.
Meta has made another strategic move in the AI talent wars, recruiting Ruoming Pang, Apple’s former head of AI models, to strengthen its artificial intelligence division. This high-profile hire follows a pattern of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg aggressively building his AI superintelligence team with top industry experts.
Pang played a pivotal role at Apple, leading the development of foundational AI models that power Apple Intelligence and other on-device features. While Apple’s AI capabilities have struggled to compete with offerings from OpenAI, Anthropic, and even Meta itself, Pang’s expertise in compact, efficient on-device models could prove valuable for Meta’s future projects. Reports suggest Apple has considered licensing third-party AI technology for its upcoming Siri upgrades, highlighting challenges in its internal AI development.
Industry observers note this departure may signal broader instability within Apple’s AI division, potentially leading to more exits. For Meta, Pang represents the latest in a series of major AI talent acquisitions, joining former executives from Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Safe Superintelligence. This hiring spree underscores Meta’s serious commitment to establishing itself as a leader in advanced artificial intelligence research and development. The company appears focused on assembling a dream team capable of pushing boundaries in both large-scale and on-device AI systems.
(Source: TechCrunch)
